Nairobi attack: DusitD2 issues statement

BANGKOK, 18 January 2019: At least 21
people were killed, 28 injured and 19 unaccounted for in Tuesday’s terrorist attack
on the DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi.

The full extent of losses and injuries is
emerging after Somali militants stormed the Thai managed hotel, 15 January.

In a statement addressed to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, 16 January regarding Tuesday’s attack, Dusit International group stated police and local authorities had taken control of the area and were investigating the incident.

“The company is extremely saddened by this
incident. The highest concern is the safety and the well being of our guests
and employees, and we are providing every support we can. As for Thai staff,
the Royal Thai Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya has confirmed that they are all safe.”

DusitD2 Nairobi, managed by Dusit International, has been operating since 30 March 2015.

Security forces have now secured the
DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, spa, restaurant and office
buildings.

Somalia-based Islamist group al-Shabab said
it was behind the attack, which triggered a 19-hour security operation.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said the siege
ended with five jihadist attackers “eliminated”.

Kenya has been a target for al-Shabab since
October 2011, when it sent its army into Somalia to fight the jihadist group,
according to the BBC.

In its report, BBC’s Andrew Harding in
Nairobi said “cowering groups of civilians were escorted to safety by security
forces throughout Tuesday night, amid sporadic bursts of gunfire and the boom
of explosions that continued well beyond dawn. Many had spent hours hiding in
their offices, or in bathrooms.”

Two people believed to be linked to the
attack were arrested after raids on Wednesday according to an AFP report.